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International Civil Aviation Organization News

12 Sep 2023

IMO Provides Interim Guidance on Biofuels in Relation to CII

© Scanrail / Adobe Stock

The 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 80), held in July 2023, has approved the interim guidance on the use of biofuels.This is in relation to assigning CO2 Emission Conversion Factor (Cf) under the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) regulations and when reporting fuel consumption to the IMO Data Collection System (IMO DCS).Flag States are encouraged to apply the interim guidance on use of biofuels under regulations 26, 27 and 28 of MARPOL Annex


18 Jan 2023

Product Tankers Poised to Profit from Jet Fuel Rebound

Copyright AA+W/AdobeStock

The airline industry has been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic and seaborne jet fuel cargo volumes suffered along with it. In comparison to pre-pandemic levels, available seat kilometers dropped nearly 90% in early 2020. Initially, air cargo volumes fell as well but saw volumes climb 5-10% above pre-pandemic levels in 2021. During 2022, the surge in cargo volumes slowed along with global economic growth prospects whereas passenger traffic continued to recover. Now, the relaxation


26 Mar 2021

UN Urges Prioritization of Seafarer Vaccinations

© Pixel-Shot / Adobe Stock

Unite Nations organizations this week issued a joint call for the world's seafarers to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination, stressing their key role in supporting global trade.The heads of five UN organizations have called for maritime and air transport workers to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination.Seafarers and aircrew are key workers, required to travel across borders, which may—though contrary to WHO recommendations—result in the need for them to present proof of a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition for entry in some countries.

11 Jun 2020

UK Gov't Urged to Exempt All Offshore Workers from Quarantine Restrictions

Offshore workers - Credit: АлДĐșсДĐč ЗаĐșĐžŃ€ĐŸĐČ/AdobeStock

A group comprising five offshore energy industry associations has called for the UK Government to exempt all offshore energy sector workers from the 14-day quarantine restrictions introduced on June 8.The group that calls itself the global Offshore Industry Group, comprises  International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC), International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), International Association of Oil


16 Jan 2019

Polar Radio Communication, Navigation Norms Getting Ready

International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Polar Code helps ensure that ships operating in the harsh Arctic and Antarctic areas take into account extremes of temperature and make sure critical equipment remains operational.Draft guidance for navigation and communication equipment intended for use on ships operating in polar waters is expected to be finalized by the current session of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR 6, 16-25 January).The guidance will include recommendations on temperature and mechanical shock testing, and on how to address ice accretion and battery performance in cold temperatures.The Sub-Committee will also consider the report of the 14th meeting of the Joint IMO/ITU Experts Group on maritime radiocommunication matters.

20 Feb 2018

IMO on Distress and Safety at Sea

Seafarers depend on a robust distress and safety system when life is in danger at sea. This week’s meeting of the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (19-23 February) will be focusing on core areas of International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s work relating to safety at sea. The meeting will review progress in its ongoing work to modernize the Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS). The GMDSS was adopted in 1988 to ensure full integration of maritime radio and satellite communications so that distress alerts can be generated from anywhere on the world’s oceans. The modernization plan aims to update the provisions, including allowing for the incorporation of new satellite communication services.

14 Nov 2017

Technology Cooperation for Low-Carbon Shipping

The Global MTTC Network (GMN) maritime technology project, run by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and funded by the European Union, was presented during a side-event (10 November) at the UN climate change conference in Bonn, Germany (COP 23). The project established a network of five regional Maritime Technology Cooperation Centres (MTCCs). Representatives of the European Union, IMO, MTCC-Caribbean and MTCC-Pacific participated at the event. MTCCs updated the audience on their pilot projects, including data collection on fuel oil consumption on ships. From 2019, ships over 5,000 gross tonnage worldwide – which account for 85% of CO2 emissions from international shipping - will be required to collect consumption data for each type of fuel oil they use


05 Oct 2016

Shippers Want Timeline for Emissions Reduction

(File photo: CMA CGM)

About 90 percent of global trade is moved by cargo ships which are collectively responsible for about 2.2 percent of the world's total Green House Gas (GHG) emissions (similar to that emitted by international aviation). As a considered response to the Paris Agreement on climate change, the world's national shipowner associations – represented by their global trade association, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) – have pledged their support for the development of a timeline for the further reduction of the shipping sector's GHG emissions.

27 Jul 2016

Drones: Is the Maritime Industry Ready?

SHIP SERVICE: Maersk Tankers is testing drones for making deliveries to its vessel. (Photo: Maersk Group)

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or “drones” in common parlance, are not a part of the historical maritime vocabulary. At least not yet. While the term “drones” may conjure images from science fiction, the reality is that companies are designing commercial UAS for the private sector, and they are gradually permeating our daily life. Henry Ford is rumored to have opined on his invention of the automobile that if he had asked people what they wanted, they would have said “faster horses.” In the case of UAS


18 May 2016

Experts Say Shipping Emissions Must Peak Soon to Achieve Paris Goals

International shipping and aviation will have to cap their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) soon for the world to meet the ambitious goals laid down in the Paris Climate Change Agreement, participants at a side event at the Bonn climate change conference heard today. Emissions of carbon dioxide from aviation and shipping are growing at a combined rate of 3-5 percent annually. Efforts by the United Nations bodies overseeing these sectors to agree and adopt strategies to address climate change have moved forward but critical action areas remain to be fully addressed, panelists in the session said. There is “recognition that all countries need to tackle emissions from international transport,” said Martin Cames, Head of Energy and Climate at Öko-Institut. “Setting a target is key . . .

07 Apr 2016

Development on BWM highlights - IMO's R&D Forum

Ballast water management experts, meeting at the recent IMO-GloBallast R&D Forum in Canada, have showcased the latest developments in ballast water management and highlighted the areas where further research is needed, in order to prevent the spread of potentially harmful species in ballast water. Some 140 participants from IMO Member States, academia, private sector, testing facilities and the maritime technology industry were meeting at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada, for the 6th Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Program (UNDP)-IMO GloBallast R&D Forum and Exhibition on Ballast Water Management (16-18 March 2016), under the banner “Ballast Water Management Convention – moving towards implementation”.

09 Dec 2015

Shipping, Aviation Dropped from Paris Climate Text

The global airline and shipping industries appeared to win a symbolic reprieve from the growing global drive to reduce carbon emissions on Wednesday, cut from a new draft climate change pact being negotiated in Paris. As nearly 200 nations attempt to craft a breakthrough global deal to slow the rise in world temperatures, the reference to two of the world's fastest-growing emitters appeared to be one of the first significant changes in an agreement still riddled with much bigger, more contentious issues. A previous draft from Dec. 5 had included an optional paragraph that would have singled out the two sectors and encouraged nations to curb their carbon output "with a view to agreeing concrete measures addressing these emissions".

12 Jun 2015

Canada Proposes New Rules for Dangerous Cargo

Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt proposed new amendments to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations that would enhance reporting requirements and expand data collection. The proposed amendments would apply to the transportation of dangerous goods in all transportation sectors. The proposed amendments would broaden the scope of the original reporting requirements and help improve emergency response and risk analysis through stronger, more comprehensive data collection. This additional information would allow Transport Canada to establish more effective regulations in the future. New reporting requirements would also be put in place for dangerous goods incidents involving road vehicles


07 Sep 2014

IMO Joins International Ebola Task Force

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) informs it has joined the international ad hoc Ebola Travel and Transport Task Force and is working with other United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to monitor the situation and provide timely information in response to the outbreak of the disease. IMO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Airports Council International (ACI), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in the Travel and Transport Task Force. IMO has issued a circular letter (No.

04 Sep 2014

IMO Joins International Ebola Task Force

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has joined the international ad hoc Ebola Travel and Transport Task Force and is working with other United Nations agencies and nongovernmental organizations to monitor the situation and provide timely information in response to the outbreak of the disease. IMO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Airports Council International (ACI), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in the Travel and Transport Task Force. IMO has issued a circular letter (No.

18 Jun 2014

Electronic Cartography Market worth $20 Billion by 2020

According to the report "Electronic Cartography Market by Application (Marine - Commercial and Defense, Aviation - Marine - Commercial and Defense), Components (Systems, Charts), Marine Electronic Navigation Systems (ECDIS, ECS), Aviation Electronic Navigation Systems (Very Large Aircrafts, Wide Body Aircrafts, Narrow Body Aircrafts), Marine Electronic Charts Licensing Mode (PAYS, Direct), Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa) Forecast and Analysis, 2014-2020", published by MarketsandMarkets, the electronic cartography market is expected to reach $20.3 billion, growing with a CAGR of 1.46% from 2014 to 2020. The last few years have witnessed a well paced revolution in the electronic cartographic market.

12 May 2014

Loss of MH370: Inmarsat Offer Free Global Tracking

In advance of the conference on aircraft tracking currently being hosted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, Inmarsat has confirmed that it has proposed to ICAO a free global airline tracking service over the Inmarsat network, as part of the anticipated adoption of further aviation safety service measures by the world’s airlines following the loss of flight MH370. This service is being offered to all 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft, which are already equipped with an Inmarsat satellite connection, virtually 100 per cent of the world’s long haul commercial fleet. In addition to this free global airline tracking service


08 May 2013

Absence of IMO Shipping Casualty Reports a Matter of Concern

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) joins with International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) submit a complaint to IMO. The joint submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) comments on the apparent failure of some flag states to submit maritime casualty reports to IMO, which is a requirement under several international maritime conventions, including the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS). ICS and ITF hope that governments will give consideration to this important issue at the next meeting of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee in June. In accordance with SOLAS regulation I/21, maritime administrations undertake to conduct investigations into any casualty occurring on ships under their flag


22 Apr 2013

Shipowners, Unions Raise Casualty Report Concerns

Shipowners and seafarers' unions joined forces to express concern at flag states’ failure to submit maritime casualty reports as required under international Conventions. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents 80% of the world merchant fleet, and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents seafarers’ unions worldwide, have made a joint submission to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) commenting on the apparent failure of some flag states to submit maritime casualty reports to IMO. This is a requirement under several international maritime Conventions, including the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS).

23 Dec 2012

UK Shipping Carbon Budget Decision Deferred

UK Government announce its decision on international aviation and shipping emissions. Government will defer a decision on whether to include international aviation and shipping emissions in carbon budgets until the setting of the fifth carbon budget in 2016, by which point there should be more clarity on how aviation emissions will be tackled at an EU and global level. Last month, the European Commission proposed that it would suspend international aspects of the aviation EU Emissions Trading Scheme in order that progress could be made by the International Civil Aviation Organization in developing a global agreement on the treatment of aviation emissions.

28 May 2008

IAMSAR Volumes Available

New editions of the three volumes of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual have just been published jointly by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in English, French and Spanish. They include all amendments that were adopted between 2001 and 2007 by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and ICAO. Volume I Organization and Management discusses the global search and rescue (SAR) system concept, establishment and improvement of national and regional SAR systems, and co-operation with neighbouring States to provide effective and economical SAR services. Volume II Mission Co-ordination assists personnel who plan and coordinate SAR operations and exercises.

11 Feb 2009

Northrup Contract for Interrogator Sets

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) has been awarded a $16m contract from the U.S. Navy for production of five additional AN/UPX-24(V) interrogator sets for the U.S. Navy and the Australian Navy. The AN/UPX-24(V) is a shipboard identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) processor system that is used to identify aircraft or ships equipped with an IFF transponder. The system provides target data to the ship's command, control, communications, computer and intelligence (C4I) system and generates interrogation commands in response to requests for priority target identification. The AN/UPX-24(V) accepts interrogation and control commands and provides target reports to a shipboard weapon system, such as Aegis or the Naval Tactical Data System.

05 May 2010

This Day in Coast Guard History – May 5

1947-The first meeting of the permanent International Civil Aviation Organization was held in Montreal, Canada with the Coast Guard being represented by LT John M. Waters, USCG. 1950-Congress approved the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the "government of the armed forces of the United States." 2004-On 5 May 2004 the Coast Guard presented the Purple Heart to BM3 Joseph Ruggiero in Miami for injuries sustained in action against the enemy while defending the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in Iraq on 24 April 2004.  Ruggiero's shipmate, DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal, was killed in this same bombing and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.  They were the first Coast Guard recipients of the Purple Heart since the Vietnam War.  (Source: USCG Historian’s Office)